Here it is already Wednesday and I have yet to post this week…Why, oh so busy. Propane tank, check; Big ole septic tank, check; tile delivered, check; electric yard line in, check; Tour of Picacho Mountain, check, check—beautiful land; and it’s count down to Showcase 2010! Four weeks from Friday!! Keep on smiling!

Dear SCEB’s Internet World,

I still cannot get used to writing 2010!  Anyone else having trouble? Only five weeks until our Showcase of Homes! We will be working hard to present you with our latest rammed earth home that we are in love with!  We met with the landscaper a few days ago.  That is a definite sign that the house will be turning into a home soon!  We also made a really cool change yesterday-found a beautiful piece of travertine that we are going to use for the island bar top.  Nothing like a natural stone to make a rammed earth home feel even more solid than it already does!  Mother Nature sure does create beautiful pieces of art, and we love displaying them.

The crew is ramming the courtyard wall at the Showcase home today.  After our quest for stabilized adobes fell short we decided we had to build the wall out of our favorite earth—rammed earth.  It gives the home even a bit more permanency!

We have created a real treat for the home owners on this home—vigas and cedar grape stakes on the back portal.  They look so beautiful—they complement the Organ Mountains quite well!

We are putting in the finishing pieces on the Rincon De Amigos home.  The plumber was there yesterday installing sinks, faucets and commodes.  The water will be flowing soon.  We are expecting our friends at El Paso Electric to show up with a permanent electrical meter any day now.  Most of the cabinet units are in place, the tile setter is just about done with his work.  It is very gratifying to see a home come together after many months of planning and building.

The ground is “broken”! We have officially begun our next project in The Pueblos.  We “met” Jean three years ago via email correspondence all the way from New York. As with each of our projects we are excited about creating our next reality.  Each home and each client is special and this one no less.  We are grateful for the trust and confidence they give us.  We never take it for granted. We look forward to creating a home for Jean.

We continue our work on the plans for the home with the basement to be located in Picacho Mountain.  We just received the elevations and electrical plan.  Yippee!

For those of you who read these E-newsletters you know that I am an Aggie Basketball Fan.  You can guess I am very excited that the boys have made it into the NCAA tournament.  Their effort in the last two games was so cool to watch.  They had a determination that put them in the winning column.    We’ll be cheering them on Friday evening as they play Michigan State in Spokane, WA.  GO AGGIES!!!

If you have not been to the Rio Grande Theater, then it’s time that you go.  I attended a concert there over the weekend and again was so appreciative of the facility.   It was renovated with such care.  Local band, Nuevo Sol, played the warm up for a group from San Francisco, La Cura. Nuevo Sol was really good.  If you ever have the opportunity to hear them, do so.  They are such good local talent….Latin rock with blues thrown in the mix.  The saxophone player was really awesome.

Soledad Canyon Earth Builders now has its own Facebook page.  Yes, Facebook!  It is not only for young people. I’m posting on it almost daily.  It’s a mini E-Newsletter.  It’s fun to keep in touch with the world through this social phenomenon.  Sign up and follow us!!

So as I close another entry into my “Soledad Canyon Diary”  I leave you with this thought:     “Keeping it simple makes it easier to find things in your house, your head, and your heart.”       Eliza Rhodes from her book Sign Language

What better way (for a builder) to start out a week than to break ground on a new house! It’s been a long road, Jean. Thanks for making it happen! Meanwhile, our house on Rincon de Amigos is ready for the plumber to put in the sinks, faucets, and such. Gotta call Joan at Winnelson!!! Our Showcase 2010 house will get it’s finish coat of interior plaster tomorrow. Here’s to keeping the economy rollin’ !!

We were looking for beautiful dirt today! We want to do an exposed rammed earth wall–reddish, brownish, earthy looking dirt. Anyone seen any? LOL.

It’s rolling…..the cheat rock is being hung. One sub out, next one in…keep on rolling. Six weeks to go

Stuck-O, Stuck-O, Stuck-0!!!! I’m happy the stucco guys are Stuck–O-ing today!!! They were having a party this morning, rockin’ with the rock guys! A mexican kind of rockin’ music. I wanted to dance as I arrived at the job site! LOL

Since my last E-News I have been to Las Vegas, Nevada for the International Builder’s Show.   Hundreds of vendors were displaying and promoting their products.  There was a definite “green” theme to the Convention.  Most suppliers and manufactures are tuned in to the importance of providing green products to the marketplace.  The show was smaller than those I have attended in the past, yet there was plenty to do and see in the three days.  The Keynote Speaker/Opening ceremony provided broad view of the industry as a whole.  There is much optimism among those involved in building homes.  As in any “down” time it provides opportunity to re-evaluate our businesses, create new ways of doing business, and come up with new products.  I came back with a suitcase full of product information.  One of my favorite new products was a shade system for outdoor areas.  It is medal cut into great looking designs.  Very durable as well as good looking!

Occasionally at these shows you run into celebrity types. I have a picture on our office bulletin board of me and Al-Tim Taylor’s assistant on Home Improvement comedy show from a few years back.  He was a face person for a line of Garage Doors.  This year the Kohler booth had Monica Pederson and Ed Sanders.  Monica is the host for HGTV’s Dream Home Show.  You may have seen her over the last 2 months as she showed the TV viewing audience the 2010 Dream Home located between Santa Fe & Albuquerque.  The drawing for that home was on Friday, guess I didn’t win…no phone call over the weekend!  We talked for a bit at the IBS Show.  She said the New Mexico Dream home was her favorite of all times.  She really loved New Mexico.  My second celebrity encounter was with Ed Sanders, who is on Extreme Makeover Home Edition. There was only enough time to snap a picture with him. But fun, no less!

Locally speaking, the New Mexico State University Aggie Basketball team continues to do well!  Go Aggies!  With two more home games the season comes to an end.  I’m rooting for their continuation into the post season tournaments.  If you live in Las Cruces I encourage you to come out on Saturday night, Feb. 27^th for their final home game.  It is an inexpensive night of entertainment—that is if you like a good, athletic game of basketball!!! Go Jonathan!! Even if you don’t it’s great for “people watching”!

The Love of Art Month is winding down, yet there are several more opportunities to enjoy the great works of Art in Las Cruces. Check the website www.artformsnm.org to download an event guide. Art does enrich your life—art that is created by others or art that you create yourself.  Make a point of enriching your life….

I just can’t help myself……yes, this is an E-newsletter that comes from our business, Soledad Canyon Earth Builders.  But, I find a need to usually interject a personal side to the business side. After all, everything is connected to everything. I really wonder what it takes for people to realize how “lucky” they are. (I use the word lucky, although I do not mean it in the true sense of the word!)  How lucky we are to live in the United States, how lucky we are to have all the conveniences and luxuries we have available to us, how lucky we are to have the opportunity to love and be loved, to be sheltered and shelter, to give and to receive, and to have a job to keep our lives balanced.   Do what it takes to help you realize how good your life is…..make a list, talk to someone, keep a journal, tell yourself one thing a day that is good (it takes 5 seconds!) or maybe just live your life with a different twist for a moment.  Smile at a stranger, hold the door open for someone, give up jealousy, appreciate your partner, and then you can open yourself up to what you dream about.  What I know for sure….any individual in your life may not be here next week, make it easier for them to love you today.

Salud,

Pat Bellestri-Martinez

Lady Contractor

A Special Edition of Soledad Canyon Earth Builder’s E-News

January 15, 2010

Hi to all,

We are proud to announce the Renewed, Revised & Rejuvenated Soledad Canyon Earth Builder’s Website. As Max’s “Senior Project” with us in his last semester at New Mexico State University he completely revamped our website. I congratulate Max on the great job he did on this tedious project.  The results speak for themselves!  There are new pictures, videos, and commentary….a fresh look, with our newest projects posted.  We invite you to visit our site, give us your feedback, and enjoy the view!   www.rammed-earth-homes.com

We would really appreciate your input.  What do you like, what don’t you like?  Is it easy to maneuver around the site?  Is there information you would like to see available on our site?  Your fresh eyes are welcome.  Let us know what you think of it.

Mid month news—I’m off to Las Vegas, Nevada to the International Builder’s Show.  It is the industry’s premier conference.  There will be hundreds of exhibitors and educational seminars, as well as thousands of people to network with.  I look forward to picking up the latest research and information on all the new products that are “green”.  I will report to you in the next E-News!

I sure appreciate all of you who take the time to write me after receiving our E-News!  It’s great to know how you are and what you’re thinkin’!!

Remember–  It is what it is and it isn’t what it isn’t…..

Pat Bellestri-Martinez

Lady Contractor/Builder of “Uniquely New Mexico” Homes

P.S. The Builder’s Association is embarking on an exciting Certified Green Building subdivision project not to far from our office. The homes will be in the $250,000 range. If you know anyone interested contact me ASAP. They will include solar panels!